The 91st June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club features many free events for families and horse-lovers today through Saturday (June19-21) in Westport.

Photo: Contributed Photo

The 91st June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club...

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The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with activities daily through Saturday, June 21, is the only national horse show in the county that is open to the public free of charge. Boutique shopping, special events such as a pet parade and food concessions are also featured on the grounds.

Photo: Contributed Photo

The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with...

Image 3 of 5

The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with activities daily through Saturday, June 21, is the only national horse show in the county that is open to the public free of charge. Boutique shopping, special events such as a pet parade and food concessions are also featured on the grounds. Parking also is free.

Photo: Contributed Photo

The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with...

Image 4 of 5

The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with activities daily through Saturday, June 21, is the only national horse show in the county that is open to the public free of charge. Boutique shopping, special events such as a pet parade and food concessions are also featured on the grounds.

Photo: Contributed Photo

The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with...

Image 5 of 5

The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with activities daily through Saturday, June 21, is the only national horse show in the county that is open to the public free of charge. Boutique shopping, special events such as a pet parade and food concessions are also featured on the grounds. The show features more than 250 classes of competition.

Photo: Contributed Photo

The June Benefit Horse Show at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, with...

The only national horse show in Fairfield County that is free and open to the public is underway in Westport.

The multi-day Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show features competition in more than 250 classes for local equestrians, from tots to seniors, and national competitors, who will vie for the $25,000 Grand Prix medal in show jumping on Saturday, June 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., said chairman Sean Hogan, a member of the club and an avid equestrian.

There also will be special events for children, including pony rides and a pet parade. Food vendors will be on site daily; a Paddock Boutiques area will have a variety of items for sale, from jewelry to men's custom clothing.

"This is our 91st show and we're very proud of that," Hogan said, noting that the event is a Heritage Competition, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a horse show by the United States Equestrian Federation, the sport's governing body.

It's a distinction reserved for horse shows that are not only dedicated to technical excellence but also to philanthropy and community involvement, Hogan, a lawyer, pointed out.

The event benefits the EQUUS Foundation, which is dedicated to helping "move people beyond their boundaries" through equine therapy. It has awarded about $2.5 million in grants to equine charities that aim to reduce the unwanted horse population and retrain horses for multiple careers. It also operates the Equine Welfare Network, which includes more than 800 organizations.

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"This event gives the Hunt Club the opportunity to spread the word that the club is committed to more than horses. Philanthropy and community involvement has always been an important part of our mission," Hogan said.

"So many people pass by here" during the course of a year, "and many might not know who we are. This gives us an opportunity to really foster ties within the community, as well as with (horse-lovers) throughout Connecticut and New York," Hogan added.

Here are some of the free events planned; free lawn and bleacher seating will be available:

Thursday, June 19: Competition begins at 7:30 a.m.

The $7,500 Poland Spring Welcome Jumper Stake is 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a meet and greet with the riders. At the conclusion of the competition, architect and equestrian John Blackburn (author of "Healthy Stables by Design") will discuss his eco-friendly approach to horse-barn designs.

A Pet Parade runs from 5 to 6 p.m.; "all pets are welcome" including dogs, cats, turtles, ducks, rabbits, horses, hamsters and fish. Registration is available at www.equusfoundation.org/pet-parade.

Boutiques will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, June 20: Competition is from 7:30 a.m. to about 4 p.m. Boutiques will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, June 21. Competition begins at 8 a.m.; boutiques will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to the Grand Prix competition, the day's highlights will include a Family Fun event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that will include pony rides, arts and crafts by the Giggling Pig and balloonist Mr. Bungles.